The semi-finalists in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Veterans’ Cup are now all known after this week’s round of games. Unfortunately, just one of the two outstanding semi-final games were played as Corsham Town were unable to raise a side for their trip to Cricklade Town and Cricklade were given a walkover into the last four of the competition.

The other semi-final between the two sides from the North Wiltshire Division went ahead when Redhouse and AFC Swindon met at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground on Wednesday night and the game went to form as league leaders Redhouse registered a 3-0 win to book their place in the last four thanks to two goals from David Pratt and one from Mark Glover. The draw for the semi-finals sees Redhouse play Coate in an all North Wiltshire Division clash set for Tuesday 20^th February at New College, whilst Westbury United, the sole representative left from the Mid Wiltshire Division, will be home to Cricklade Town from the North Wiltshire Division in the other semi-final which is scheduled for Monday 26^th February at Green Lane, Devizes.

Just three games were played this week in the Mid Wiltshire Veterans’ Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League, with two of the games involving the sides at the bottom end of the table. On Monday night Trowbridge Town Tigers entertained Radstock Town. At the start of the night there was just one point and one place between the two sides, and it remained that way after the two sides had shared four goals and the points at Selwood Academy. Tigers leading scorer Clifford Sakyi bagged his sixth goal of the campaign, Kieran Prince with the other Trowbridge goal. In reply for Radstock Town a fifth of the season from James Billing plus one from Steven Gilham was enough to earn Radstock a share of the points.

With the two sides below them both dropping two points, Calne Town opened up a three-point gap over their nearest rivals at the bottom Trowbridge, although Tigers have a game in hand. On Tuesday night Calne defeated bottom of the table Amesbury Junior Badgers 5-0 at MOD Lyneham to complete a league double having won 4-0 at Tidworth back in October. There were two goals for both Ben Trafford and Deane Slade, Dan Allison with the other Calne goal. As well as opening up that gap over the sides below them, Calne moved level on points with Westbury United but have played three games more.

The other game played in the Mid Wiltshire Division was on Monday night at Green Lane and it saw Devizes Town climb a couple of places in the table to fourth place following a 5-1 win over Chippenham Town. The win saw Devizes move to within three points of Melksham Town and Devizes are starting to look like genuine title contenders this season. Two goals from Rob Mitchell, who moved onto eight for the season, plus further goals from Rhys Schell. Stephen Campbell and Paul Hermon did the damage for Devizes. David Giles was there with his camera and more of his excellent photos can be found on the League Facebook Group Page.

More action from Devizes Town's 5-1 away win over Chippenham Town

(pictures courtesy of David Giles)

There were two league games in the North Wiltshire Division this week which saw third placed Coate and fourth placed Penhill United both secure wins to close the gap to the top two. Coate registered a double figure score for the second time this season, although their earlier one has now been expunged following Nomads withdrawal from the league. At Green Lane on Monday night they led 6-0 at half time against bottom side Stratton Juniors and added a further four goals after the break to run out comfortable 10-0 winners. Paul Stonehouse led the way with a hat-trick, Adam Rudman and Neil Snow both scored twice and there were further goals from Pete Sealey, Andrew Goodchild and Thomas Steptoe. This coming Tuesday Coate are involved in the Wiltshire FA County Cup Final when they meet fellow North Wiltshire Division side Cricklade Town at Melksham Town’s Ground, kick-off for this game is 7:30PM as the first silverware of the season is set to be awarded.

The other game in the North Wiltshire Division this week saw Penhill United defeat Chiseldon 4-1 thanks to two goals from Chris Angell and one apiece from Shane Hibbert and Aaron Welland, Adam O’Keeffe with the consolation goal for Chiseldon. The win for Penhill saw them open up a five point lead over Chiseldon.

On Monday, after issues with raising a side and other issues relating to player availability and eligibility, Blunsdon made the decision to withdraw their veterans’ team with immediate effect. As they have not played the required % of games, their record will be expunged in due course once the discipline meeting to discuss their withdrawal has been held. In the meantime, the fixtures in the North Wiltshire Division have been amended to bring forward games where there were gaps at New College and the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground because of Blunsdon’s withdrawal.